Written Answers Nos. 68-81
68. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the lack of educational provisions in the community of Knocklyon for neurodivergent children, as there are no autism units in either primary school in Knocklyon; if she will provide an update in relation to any development of these much-needed services in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31442/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
For 2023, the spend by my department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my department will spend over €2.6 billion on special education.
This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the Department’s total allocation for 2023.
This includes funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).
In 2023, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 SNAs in our schools next year.
For the first time ever we will have over 19,000 teachers working in the area of special education and over 20,000 SNAs. Together we have almost 40,000 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews. The Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations.
Over the last two to three years, my department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient special class and special school places.
These initiatives are bearing fruit with over 600 new special classes sanctioned at primary level, almost 300 new special classes sanctioned at post-primary level and five new special schools established over the last three years.
My department is engaging intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
As a result of this forward planning, on the 12th April, Minister Foley and l announced the establishment of two new special schools for the 2023/24 school year, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools.
Along with the two new special schools, 380 new special classes – 250 at primary and 130 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening in the 2023/24 school year, with more to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
In Co. Dublin, 76 new special classes will open for the 2023/24 school year, 52 at primary level and 24 at post-primary, bringing the total number of classes in Co. Dublin to 540. Of these 12 special classes - 10 at primary and 2 at post-primary are within the Dublin 16 area. 1 new primary class and 1 new post-primary class is opening in the Dublin 16 area for the coming school year.
As demand for new special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, due to increasing demographics and increasing prevalence rates, my department and the NCSE have engaged with post-primary stakeholders in relation to the provision of special classes.
In October of last year, my department wrote to all post-primary schools to advise them of the need to begin planning to provide additional special classes. It is envisaged that all post-primary schools will be required to provide special classes over the next 3 to 5 years, with an approximate average of 4 special classes in each school.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. The local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: www.ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list .
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at www.ncse.ie
It is of course open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.
The NCSE is committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for the coming school year 2023/24.
I want to reassure you also that my Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.
69. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she is aware that the senior side of a school (details supplied) does not have an ASD unit, despite the junior side school having one open for 11 years; if she will confirm, in relation to the unit which has been previously sanctioned by her Department, where the funding is; when this unit will be made available to the children who need it urgently; the timeframe for when this is possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31443/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government.
It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
For 2023, the spend by my department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my department will spend over €2.6 billion providing supports to children and young people with special educational needs and their schools.
This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the Department’s total allocation for 2023.
This includes funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers and special needs assistants.
The NCSE has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.
Over the last two to three years, my department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient special class and special school places.
These initiatives are bearing fruit with over 600 new special classes sanctioned at primary level, almost 300 new special classes sanctioned at post-primary level and five new special schools established over the last three years.
My department is engaging intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
As a result of this forward planning, on the 12th of April, Minister Foley and I announced the establishment of 2 new special schools for the 2023/2024 school year, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools.
Along with the two new special schools, 380 new special classes – 250 at primary and 130 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening in the 2023/24 school year, with more to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Of these new classes, 6 are in Dublin 24 area, with 3 at primary level and 3 at post-primary level. These new classes will bring the total number of special classes in Dublin 24 to 52.
In relation to the school referred to by the Deputy, the NCSE has advised my department that the school has expressed interest in establishing an autism special class, and the NCSE has been working in cooperation with the school to provide the necessary support.
My Department is also engaging with the school in relation to any necessary building works that may be necessary to provide for the special class. My Department and the NCSE will continue to engage with the school to progress the issue.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. The local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list .
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at www.ncse.ie
The NCSE is committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for the coming school year 2023/2024.
I want to reassure you also that my department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.
70. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the application for additional accommodation by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31447/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school in question.
My Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023 in the context of its available funding. Key priorities for the Department's work programme include continuing strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023/24 school year and beyond, and also with particular regard to supporting special needs provision.
Officials from my Department have recently contacted the school in question regarding the assessment process and a decision will issue to the school authorities in due course in this regard.
71. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the full-year cost to recruit ten additional WTE special educational needs organisers, in tabular form. [31479/23]
View answerThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of Special needs Organisers (SENOs), for fulfilling the functions of the Council within a designated area in relation to the identification of and delivery and co-ordination of education services to children with disabilities.
The cost of appointing 10 additional SENOs including Employer's PRSI would be in the region of €601,265 per annum, based on the mid point of the SENO salary scale.
It is a priority that the NCSE is properly resourced to have a visible and effective presence in our schools and to guide and support our parents and children on their educational journey. The €13 million investment announced in budget 2023 will see an increase of over 50% in overall staffing levels in the NCSE. This funding will that ensure the NCSE can continue to deliver real and meaningful supports for children, families and schools. The NCSE is currently engaged with the planning process in respect of the expanded headcount and service delivery on foot of Budget 2023 announcement. This process will establish the priorities, work program, the staffing levels required and critical path activities to be undertaken in parallel by NCSE and the Department, to give effect to the recent budgetary announcement whilst also ensuring current service delivery is maintained.
|
Cost Element |
Cost by SENO € |
Cost for 10 SENOs € |
|
Salary Cost (based on mid-point of current SENO PPC payscale) |
54,168 |
541,680 |
|
Employers PRSI @11.05% |
5,986 |
59,856 |
|
Total Cost |
60,154 |
601,536 |
72. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) could be considered for inclusion in the energy retrofit pathfinder programme; if this programme will be expanded to allow access for more schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31480/23]
View answerMy Department and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications have developed a jointly funded school sector decarbonisation pathfinder programme. It is administered by the Planning and Building Unit in my Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland in partnership with devolved delivery support from Limerick and Clare Education Training Board.
This Pathfinder programme is paving the way for, and informing, a much larger national decarbonisation school sector programme.
The budget for the pathfinder programme of works from 2017 to 2023 is circa €110 million.
The general principles and approach to school selection includes; schools who comply with their annual reporting obligations to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) with respect to their annual energy usage under the Energy Monitoring and Reporting scheme and secondly schools that demonstrate a strong and holistic commitment to energy management practices through participation in the Energy in Education website portal and advice programme that is operated by the SEAI and my Department. This programme assists schools reduce their energy consumption. www.energyineducation.ie.
The pathfinder programme selection process also considers various school types where specific learnings may be targeted. These can typically include:
size of school buildings;
energy consumption profiles;
different types of construction;
heritage and conservation requirements.
The pathfinder programme is generally delivered in line with the above considerations and not on an application basis. Schools who wish to be considered should ensure that they are meeting their Energy Monitoring and Reporting requirements and also participating in the Energy in Education Programme.
The National Development Plan 2021-2030 published on 4th Oct 2021, provides capital funding of over €4.4bn for investment in school infrastructure during the period 2021 to 2025. There continues to be a strong Climate Action dimension to this modernisation programme.
This pathfinder is a great example of collaboration ensuring the deployment of new design approaches and technologies are introduced to the school sector on an evidence based approach. This programme continues to assist my Department to explore options and test various solutions for decarbonised energy efficiency solutions in our broad range of school building types.
It is facilitating research on a range of typical retrofit options for schools, which will be tried and tested. It is providing valuable development information for a solution driven delivery strategy which will be founded on a solid evidence base that has proven the robustness and scalability of renewable solutions within the school sector.
Each school undergoes a comprehensive assessment to ensure that the measures are suitable for that school and will deliver value to both the school and learnings for the national retrofit programme.
The works typically involves upgrades to the building fabric including wall and roof insulation, doors and windows, air tightness improvements, LED lighting and heating upgrades as well as renewable technologies.
This pathfinder programme has completed work to date in 48 schools across Ireland.
Work is progressing in an additional 16 schools.
A Building Energy Rating (BER) of B is the targeted energy rating for these schools.
73. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if and when a special educational needs organiser will be urgently assigned to the north Kildare area, with particular reference to the forthcoming school year and ensuring as much support as possible is put in place for children with special needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31483/23]
View answerThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of Special needs Organisers (SENOs), for fulfilling the functions of the Council within a designated area in relation to the identification of and delivery and co-ordination of education services to children with disabilities.
The Council employs SENOs to provide a nationwide system of local services. Locally based SENOs consult widely with parents/guardians, teachers, health care professionals, school authorities, HSE and other relevant government agencies.
SENOs are assigned by region, rather than on a county basis. North Kildare falls within the remit of the South East Team 2, which currently comprises of 3.5 SENOs, team manager and regional manager. I understand that a recent SENO recruitment competition has led to the NCSE extending offers of employment to successful candidates. Consequently, 3 newly appointed SENOs are expected to commence on this team in early July, with a further 2 SENOs commencing in late July. Therefore it is intended that in August 2023, a total of 8.5 SENOs, team manager and regional manager will be engaged in the provision of services in the South East Team 2 region.
In addition, where a SENO vacancy arises, a SENO point of contact is assigned to the area to assist schools, parents and local services until the position is filled. Essential services are maintained through cover provided from available staff resources. If parents are unsure of the SENO for their area, they can contact the team manager for the region, who will be able to inform them of the SENO’s details providing interim cover. A list showing the Regional Manager, Team Manager, and SENO contact details can be found on the regional contact list on the NCSE website.
It is a priority that the NCSE is properly resourced to have a visible and effective presence in our schools and to guide and support our parents and children on their educational journey. The €13 million investment announced in budget 2023 will see an increase of over 50% in overall staffing levels in the NCSE, with an up to 60% increase in the case of 73 current SENOs. This funding will that ensure the NCSE can continue to deliver real and meaningful supports for children, families and schools. The NCSE is currently engaged with the planning process in respect of the expanded headcount and service delivery on foot of Budget 2023 announcement. This process will establish the priorities, work program, the staffing levels required and critical path activities to be undertaken in parallel by NCSE and the Department, to give effect to the recent budgetary announcement whilst also ensuring current service delivery is maintained.
74. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the progress being made for the provision of autism classes in the Knocklyon area at primary and secondary level. [31507/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
For 2023, the spend by my department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my department will spend over €2.6 billion on special education.
This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the Department’s total allocation for 2023.
This includes funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).
In 2023, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 SNAs in our schools next year.
For the first time ever we will have over 19,000 teachers working in the area of special education and over 20,000 SNAs. Together we have almost 40,000 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews. The Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations.
Over the last two to three years, my department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient special class and special school places.
These initiatives are bearing fruit with over 600 new special classes sanctioned at primary level, almost 300 new special classes sanctioned at post-primary level and five new special schools established over the last three years.
My department is engaging intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
As a result of this forward planning, on the 12th April, Minister Foley and l announced the establishment of two new special schools for the 2023/2024 school year, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools.
Along with the two new special schools, 380 new special classes – 250 at primary and 130 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening in the 2023/2024 school year, with more to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
In Co. Dublin, 76 new special classes will open for the 2023/24 school year, 52 at primary level and 24 at post-primary, bringing the total number of classes in Co. Dublin to 540. Of these 12 special classes - 10 at primary and 2 at post-primary are within the Dublin 16 area. 1 new primary class and 1 new post-primary class is opening in the Dublin 16 area for the coming school year.
As demand for new special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, due to increasing demographics and increasing prevalence rates, my department and the NCSE have engaged with post-primary stakeholders in relation to the provision of special classes.
In October of last year, my department wrote to all post-primary schools to advise them of the need to begin planning to provide additional special classes. It is envisaged that all post-primary schools will be required to provide special classes over the next 3 to 5 years, with an approximate average of 4 special classes in each school.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. The local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list .
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at www.ncse.ie
It is of course open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.
The NCSE is committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for the coming school year 2023/24.
I want to reassure you also that my Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.
75. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if payment will issue without further delay in respect of a project completed some time ago (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31516/23]
View answerI am pleased to advise the Deputy that the modular project, at the school referred to, is progressing and a request for funding has been processed. The school authorities can expect to receive funds in their bank account in 7 - 10 business days.
76. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if she will examine the appeal of a child (details supplied) who has been refused a remote access boarding grant to study at an all-Irish secondary school on the basis that the child was refused a place at the local Gaelscoil because of the lack of sufficient Irish of the student, despite the fact that school is oversubscribed; and if she would agree that the aim of the student and to remedy this deficiency by accessing a secondary school education through Irish is precisely what the remote access boarding grant scheme was designed for. [31522/23]
View answerThe purpose of the Remote Area Boarding Grant scheme is to give students who are disadvantaged because of their remoteness from schools an opportunity to attend school on the same basis as students not so disadvantaged.
The terms of this scheme are set out in Circular 16/2016 which is published on my Department’s website at: gov.ie - Remote Area Boarding Grant scheme (www.gov.ie )
As per the circular above, the pupil “must be unable to obtain a place in a suitable second-level school within 25 km of his/her normal place of residence & should provide written confirmation of same”.
The application referred to by the Deputy has not been refused by my Department. However, it has not been progressed pending receipt of written confirmation regarding the refusal of a place in the local Gaelscoil as per the terms of the scheme.
The applicant was recently contacted by my Department with regard to the outstanding documentation. Upon receipt of this, my Department will process the application as soon as possible.
77. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 276 of 25 April 2023, for an update on any monitoring or analysis underway in her Department as regards the implementation of circular 0032/2017 which sets out the principles of cost-effective practice to be adopted by schools to reduce the cost of returning to school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31552/23]
View answerCircular 0032/2017 sets out the principles of cost-effective practice to be adopted by schools to reduce the cost of returning to school, and has been issued to the Boards of Management of all recognised primary and post-primary schools and to the Chief Executives of the Education and Training Boards.
Under these measures, schools should select school uniform items which are generic and can be purchased from an array of retailers. Only "iron on" or "sew on" crests should be used. Schools should also consult with parents as to their views on how to reduce costs.
My Department does not gather data on the implementation of Circular 0032/2017 at an individual school level.
Under the Education Act 1998, the Board of Management of a school is the body charged with the direct governance of a school. The Board of Management is accountable to the Patron of the school.
Earlier this year, I announced a landmark new scheme to eliminate the cost of schoolbooks for families of children in primary schools and special schools across the country from September. This scheme is seeing the Government investing over €50million in providing free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks for pupils, to help ease the financial burdens facing families during back-to-school time.
More than 558,000 pupils enrolled in approximately 3,230 primary schools, including over 130 special schools, will benefit from the new scheme.
In respect of post-primary schools, my Department provides a book grant to all recognised post-primary schools within the Free Education Scheme in order to provide assistance for books, including Book Rental Schemes. Under this scheme, my Department provided funding of €10.2 million in 2022 to these schools. Schools participating in my Department’s DEIS Programme receive an enhanced rate of book grant.
It is a matter for the Board of Management of each individual school to decide on its own policy in relation to the use of book grant funding in the school, however schools are expected to adopt a cost-conscious approach to the selection of books for use in their classes.
78. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the steps she will take to seek a reduction in the cost of schoolbooks at both primary and secondary school level including e-books; her views on the similar prices being affixed to both versions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31559/23]
View answerAs Minister for Education I believe it is crucially important that children and young people are actively supported to access education in its fullest forms. This Government recognises that the cost of preparing children for school each September can be a cause of financial difficulty and worry for many Irish families.
I am keenly aware of the challenges faced by educators and parents, in relation to costs of digital devices including eBooks, and my Department continues to work to help support schools and families meet these costs. In 2017 a circular letter issued to schools with measures to be adopted to reduce the cost of school uniforms and other costs. This circular also instructed schools to consult with parents and their school community on the issue of ensuring costs are reasonable for parents, and how to avoid costs acting as a barrier. This circular specified that wherever possible, generic rather than branded items should be specified (e.g. uniform, clothing, IT tablets, sports equipment etc.). The issue of costs to parents will also be included in the Guidelines that will issue with the Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019.
Since June 2020, and over the past three Budgets, I have secured funding to support measures aimed at supporting schools and parents to reduce costs. One of the most important policies in this regard has been the establishment of Ireland’s first national primary school book scheme, which will provide free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks, in primary schools and special schools. More than 558,000 pupils enrolled in approximately 3,230 primary schools, including over 130 special schools, will benefit from this measure.
This free schoolbooks scheme will eliminate the cost to all families for schoolbooks at primary school, including workbooks and copybooks.
On the 26th April I announced the payment of the grant funding under the new scheme to schools, totalling over €53 million. This significantly increases the funding for school books currently provided to all recognised primary schools in the country.
The extension of the free school book scheme to students in recognised post-primary schools will be considered in the context of the available resources going forward. My Department currently provides a book grant of over €10.2 million to all recognised post primary schools within the Free Education Scheme in order to provide assistance for books, including book rental schemes (which can include ebooks), and all schools are encouraged to operate book rental schemes to help alleviate costs to parents.
The decision to use technology including e-books is a matter for the Board of Management of schools. Where the introduction of new technology is planned, consultation with members of the school community including parents is advised. The cost and other implications must be fully considered by the Boards of Management before a decision is made. Schools, in conjunction with parents and the wider school community, retain local autonomy for decisions on the use of digital technologies in the context of their digital learning planning, and how to embed their use to enhance teaching and learning. In making this decision each school should consider all the available information.
Many publishers issue eBooks free of charge with the purchase of their text books, but this is at the publisher’s discretion. The current policy within the Department of Education is not to endorse or promote any particular programme, product or publication to support the teaching of subjects. However, there are a number of exceptions where the department has procured textbooks or resources in order to fill a specific and urgent need. Apart from a small number of prescribed texts at post-primary, determined by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), the decisions on which textbooks, programmes and products to use in primary and post-primary schools are taken at school level.
In terms of the content, the Department of Education does not have a role in approving, commissioning, sponsoring or endorsing any content in any educational product. The Curriculum specification and prescribed syllabus material are determined by the NCCA and it is the responsibility of each individual school to select the resources that it will use to support its implementation of the curriculum.
The price of schoolbooks and associated items, including ebooks, cannot therefore, be determined by my Department and is a matter which is dictated by the commercial marketplace.
Scoilnet, the Department funded website, provides open access to the Irish education system to rich appropriate content including Encyclopaedia Britannica, Irish newspaper archives, and other curated sites.
79. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the SNA allocations for 2023/2024. [31584/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following;
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
For 2023, the spend by my department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my department will spend over €2.6 billion on special education.
This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the Department’s total allocation for 2023.
This includes funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).
In 2023 the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 special needs assistants in our schools next year.
For the first time ever we will have over 19,000 teachers working in the area of special education and over 20,000 Special needs assistants. Together we have almost 40,000 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) play a central role in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs into mainstream education, special classes and special schools ensuring that these students can access education to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.
SNAs are allocated to schools as a school based resource and not to individual children. The deployment of SNAs within schools is a matter for the individual principal/Board of Management of the school. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated.
It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
The NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews.
Any school can apply to the NCSE for a review of its SNA allocation if it is insufficient to meet the needs of its students.
Detailed information on the NCSE exceptional review process is published on the NCSE website.
www.cse.ie/application-for-sna-exceptional-review.
All schools have the contact details of their local SENO, and the SENO is available to offer assistance and advice to the school. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on the NCSE's website.
The NCSE have published the SNA allocations for the 2023/24 school year. For ease of reference these allocations are broken down by school type and are available on the NCSE's website at: www.ncse.ie/set-hours-and-sna-allocations.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
80. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the spending per funding head for primary and post-primary schools for the full-year 2022 and to date in 2023. [31585/23]
View answerThe Department of Education prepares education expenditure data on an annual basis for the OECD publication 'Education at a Glance'. The most recent year for which expenditure per student data at primary and secondary level is available is 2019.
|
Dataset: Educational Finance Indicators |
||
|
Indicator |
FIN PERSTUD: Total 2019 T: All INST_T: T: All USD |
|
|
Year |
||
|
REF_SECTOR |
||
|
COUNTERPART_SECTOR |
||
|
EXPENDITURE_TYPE |
||
|
UNIT_MEASURE |
||
|
ISC11 |
Primary education (ISCED20 11 LEVEL 1) |
Lower secondary education (ISCED20 11 LEVEL 2) |
|
Country |
||
|
Ireland |
8,687 |
10,634 |
Data extracted on 26 Jun 2023 11:01 UTC(GMT) from OECD.Stat
Legend:
x: Data included in another category
81. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of current Fáilte Ireland board members who are directors or shareholders in companies that have received finance, grants or other supports from Fáilte Ireland. [31468/23]
View answerThe matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred this question to the agency for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
